Page 26 of The Dating Prohibition

“Ooo, girl, look at that one right there.” Lani tipped her chin to gesture at a sexy bearded man eyeing them.

He nodded in their direction, his smooth bald head catching the light.

“Something about DC bachelors is a sight to behold. I meannn,” Shonda said, dragging out her last word. “He is a fine little

chocolate drop.”

Kendra’s eyes widened.

“What?” Shonda asked coyly. “I’m married. I can still look.”

Lani shrugged. “No judgment here.”

The club was just starting to pop. People were on the dance floor. The girls had a curved booth facing the floor. On the other

side of the massive throng of people swaying to the beat was a long bar. Below the counter, neon lights shone, changing colors

randomly.

“We seemed to have the attention of several,” Kendra observed, sipping on a dirty martini.

“Ooh, where?” Lani whispered.

“Okay, but you have to be sly about this. You can’t be obvious, okay?”

“Of course, I won’t be obvious,” Lani scoffed. “I know what I’m doing.”

Kendra and Shonda exchanged a knowing glance. Lani’s frenetic energy rarely allowed her to be covert in her observations or

her actions.

“Yeah, okay.” Shonda laughed.

“I’m serious. I won’t be obvious,” Lana whined.

“Okay, so, there’s a guy with long curls that are tied into a man bun. He’s to the left of the DJ booth.” Lani’s head whipped

around so fast that she could have started her own breeze.

Shonda jabbed Lani with her elbow.

“Ow!” she exclaimed.

“Could you be more obvious? You almost broke your neck looking at that dude.” Shonda shook her head and pursed her lips. “He

definitely saw you.”

Kendra snorted, covering her mouth as she continued to laugh. “You really did look like you might have pulled something. You

didn’t feel that? You might need a chiropractor tomorrow.”

“Shut up.” Lani’s cheeks boiled red.

“Okay, so where’s the other one?” Shonda nudged Kendra with her shoulder.

“Far end of the bar in the black leather jacket.” Shonda turned to look at Lani, catching glimpses of their admirer in her

periphery. “Oh, he is cute. Look at those curls...”

Lani’s eyes rolled around, searching for an explanation for Shonda’s inconspicuous admiration. “You never even looked in his

direction. How do you do that?”

“It’s called being subtle,” Shonda teased.

“Yeah, but how ... how do I do that? I don’t... I don’t have that ability.” True to form, she turned her head in the direction of the

bar and made direct eye contact with the man in the leather jacket. “Oh shit, now he’s coming over here,” she said, panicked.

“Probably because you just invited him over here,” Kendra muttered.

“Well, maybe it’s not that bad.” Lani ran her hand over her hair and pressed her lips together, redistributing her lipstick.

“No, it’s that bad,” Shonda whispered under her breath.

As the gentleman drew closer, they could see the glistening curls atop his head led to tapered sides. Instead of a smile,

he almost grimaced, exposing a grill over his lower teeth.

Hmm... He was cuter from afar. And is he wearing a grill at his big age?

Shonda shielded her mouth with her hand, pretending to fix her lip gloss.

Kendra turned to look at her, practically whispering into her shoulder, “Is that why his curls are hydrated like that? It’s

like he’s got a Jheri curl situation going on.”

“That man must bathe in activator,” Lani giggled.

“Ladies.” Their admirer addressed them, his arms held out wide. “Hello.”

Kendra glanced at him briefly before returning her attention to her cocktail.

“I don’t mean to interrupt, I just saw you three and couldn’t stay away. You’re the baddest chicks in here.” His voice oozed

with a bravado that didn’t match his appearance. A droplet fell from one of his curls to the collar of his jacket.

“Chicks?” Shonda inquired, her expression unreadable. “That’s an interesting way to address somebody that you’ve never met

before.”

“My apologies. You’re right.” He checked himself, patting his chest with the palm of his hand. “You’re absolutely right. May I know your names?”

“Why don’t we start with yours?” Lani replied, her eyebrow quirked.

“Sure, my name is Donovan.” He winked at her. Kendra shuddered internally.

“Donovan, nice to meet you,” Shonda replied. “I’m Shonda. This is Lani. This is Kendra.”

“Kendra, I have to tell you, I noticed you first. And I see that you’re not wearing a ring. Are you single?”

“That’s awfully forward of you, Donovan.” Kendra smiled politely.

“Well, when a man knows what he wants...” He licked his lips, a hungry look in his eyes.

“And what is it that you want?”

“I’d like to get to know you better, if that’s alright.”

“I’m sorry, I’m taken, but I appreciate you for coming to say hello.”

Shonda continued to watch Donovan closely as Lani’s head whipped toward Kendra, her eyes widening.

“You—” she started.

Shonda kicked Lani under the table. Every girls’ night they’d ever had ultimately resulted in Lani having bruises on her shins.

Kendra looked down at her hands to keep from laughing.

“Is it serious?” Donovan asked. “Because if it’s not...”

“I’d say it’s pretty serious.” She kept her tone neutral.

“Are you anticipating a ring?”

This dude is doing the most. Why is he so pressed? “A ring is just a piece of property. I’m more concerned with how we commit to each other and build our lives together. A ring

is nice, but that doesn’t make any guarantees, actions do.”

“Hmm,” he replied, clearly unconvinced that he should give up. “And what about you?” He turned to Lani. “I don’t mean to skip over you,” he directed at Shonda, “but I see the very clear diamond on your finger.”

“Yes, I’m very happily taken,” she replied.

Donovan gestured back to Lani, who chewed on her lip. Kendra could see the wheels in her head turning in terms of how she

was going to respond.

“You know, I’ve... I’ve recently started dating someone,” she said. “It’s new, but it’s someone I’ve liked for a long time.

So, I’m not really open to anything right now either.”

“So, can I ask y’all a question?” Donovan’s arms crossed over his chest, activator now actively running down the front of

his jacket. “Why are y’all even out tonight if you’re all taken?”

“Is this like a singles-only club, because no one told us.” Kendra shrugged.

“No, but shouldn’t you be with your dudes?”

“Why do you assume that we’re all with dudes?” Shonda rested her chin in her hand, looking bored.

“Okay, fine. Your partners ?” he said mockingly.

“‘Why are you still here?’ is really the question.” Kendra’s eyes narrowed at him. “We’ve answered your questions. None of

us are available. We don’t need the third degree about where our significant others are. We’re here for girls’ night. So,

why don’t you see yourself back to the bar or to some other women who might actually be interested?”

“You know, it’s you independent bitches that think you’re God’s gift.”

“Be very careful with that word.” She held up a finger in warning.

“What word? Bitch?” he said again, drawing out the word like it was a dig.

“Well, I could also call you a bitch.” Kendra’s back straight ened, her chin held high. “Coming over and interrupting our night and having the nerve to be upset when no one’s interested in you so you lash out. Now that’s a bitch-ass move, in my opinion.”

He took one step forward. “Is that so?” His tone was menacing, but his approach was nothing new. Just another man who thought

he was a prize when most women considered his absence a blessing. This guy is why we all choose the bear.

Kendra stood up out of the booth directly in front of him, ready and willing to stand on business anytime someone trespassed

into the space she shared with her girls. “What is it that you think you’re ’bout to do, Donovan?” She narrowed her eyes at

him and gritted her teeth, her honey-colored midi dress hugging her curves as her heeled sandals had her towering over Donovan,

his jacket now looking like he’d been standing outside in rainy conditions.

“Hey, Keke, you good?” Eli, their favorite bouncer, sidled up next to her.

“Yeah... You know, this guy was just leaving.”

Eli nodded. “Alright, then. The door is that way,” he growled and gestured, his face stony, his umber skin glowing under the

neon lights.

“I’m not leaving,” Donovan retorted.

“I think you are,” Kendra replied, unblinking.

“Like I said,” Donovan retorted and venomously ventured a step forward, but Eli blocked him from getting closer to Kendra.

“Bitch.” Flecks of spittle escaped his mouth as he spoke, and Eli swiped at the side of his face before placing his extended

fingertips against Donovan’s chest in warning.

Eli worked for one of the many federal agencies headquartered in DC during the week, but on the weekends he would work the door of the lounge.

A big, bulky guy, he was maybe six foot one, but he was at least 280, having played football in college before blowing out his knee.

“You should apologize to the lady,” Eli warned, advancing a step closer to Donovan, their faces less than a foot apart.

“This has nothing to do with you, man,” Donovan barked back, though some of the force in his tone had dissipated.

“Well, it has everything to do with you. Start walking.” Eli stepped forward again.

Donovan, who was much smaller in stature, maybe five foot nine and lucky if he was 160, took a step back and held up his hands.

“Alright. Alright. I’m out.” He sent one last glare in the the ladies’ direction and turned toward the door.

Eli plopped a kiss on Kendra’s cheek. “The weirdos always find you, man.”

“Bruh.”

He chuckled and followed Donovan out the door.

A server slid up to the booth with a tray of mezcal margaritas with chamoy and tajin rims. “Ladies, these drinks are from

the DJ. He saw some friction over here and decided to get you another round.”

“Oh, please tell Bo we said thank you.” Lani beamed.

“Will do.”

Kendra slid back into the booth and raised her fresh glass to the DJ booth.